According to the Tunisian coast guard, at least 29 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died after their two boats capsized off the Tunisian coast while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy.
Separately, five migrant boats have fallen off the coast of the southern city of Sfax in the last four days, leaving 67 people missing and 9 people dead. This comes following a major rise in the number of boats travelling towards Italy.
People fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in search of a better life in Europe now primarily leave from Tunisia rather than Libya.
Senior national guard official Houssem Jebabli told Reuters that 11 individuals had also been saved by the Tunisian coast guard.
